Please visit www.godinbanks.com for 25 photos and more info. "The 4οΎ½-Litre has always given a fine performance; in its latest form it provides all the performance that anyone can reasonably require, and at the same time has been silenced, smoothed out and made a much more comfortable car, so that in comparison with the earlier versions it is hardly recognisable on first driving it. It can only be said that the appeal of the car has been considerably widened, for the people who today set great store by noise and a harsh suspension are greatly outnumbered by those to whom refinement in a fast car is far more desirable." - The Autocar, 10th April 1936. Having established its reputation by winning the Moscow - St Petersburg Reliability Trial of 1910 with a 30hp six, Lagonda concentrated mainly on the production of light cars before reverting to sporting and luxury models in the mid 1920s with the introduction of the 14/60. This four-cylinder, 2-litre model was joined in 1929 by the first of Lagonda's own sixes - the 3-litre - but by the mid-1930s the Meadows-engined cars were seen as the way forward. Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Show and based on the preceding ZM 3-litre model, the M45 deployed Meadows' 4 1/2-litre, twin-plug six to good effect, saloons being capable of reaching 90mph and tourers the 'ton' under favourable conditions. Under W O Bentley's technical direction the big Lagonda became more refined, the M45's successor ? the LG45 - gaining synchromesh gears, flexible engine mounts and centralised chassis lubrication, among many other improvements. Endowed with such an impeccable pedigree, the 4 1/2-litre Lagonda quickly established itself as a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its day. A mere 278 LG45s were produced between 1936 and 1937 and sixty-plus years on the model remains at the top of the wants list of the knowledgeable connoisseur. The LG45 Drophead Coupe was the most expensive model in the range and proved to be very popular for its ease of ownership. This LG45, an early Sanction 1 car, was acquired by the previous owner some nineteen years ago, joining his small private museum collection of important veteran, vintage and classic cars. The Sothebys auction catalogue at the time described this car, (then registered DGF 278), as 'purchased by the current owner many years ago from a former Director of the Bank of England.' Few coachbuilders were able to improve on the coachwork design of the factory-bodied cars which came from the drawing board of the great Frank Feeley and this is just one of those Feeley-designed cars. For the first time on a Lagonda a front bumper was standard equipment and the rear bumper of this car was to special order. The apparent twin-sidemount spare wheel casings in fact conceal a spare wheel on one side and space for tools and the automatic jacking system on the other. Driving equipment includes Lucas P100 headlamps, with centre driving lamp and matching twin trumpet horns. Motor club badges displayed record its owner's diverse interests including VCC, VSCC, Lagonda Club and Veteran Motorists. Interior Our car has been retrimmed some years ago in Beige Leather which is now in a superb used condition and exactly as one would hope to find it. The carpets are all good and the cabin is a wonderful place to sit. All the instruments work and there is nothing that needs addressing. Exterior The car has benefitted from a professional repsray in its deep red livery which is the perfect colour for the car. The wheels and tyres are all good and the car is in a wonderful condition, not Concours but perfectly useable and a high quality older restoration. Mechanical For the past twenty years this car has been used sparingly and most carefully maintained being taxed every year and kept in great condition. The car drives exactly as it should and is ready for its next owner. We do not have a large file of invoices due to the previous owner having a mechanic on hand for all the restoration and necessary mechanical work. Summary The car, (which comes to the market only because of
Right-hand Drive
